Two suspects arrested for brutal and sadistic farm attack on Donovan Marx

The North West Province Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Arthur Peter Adams, said they arrested two suspects for the brutal farm attack on Donovan Marx.

On 31 October 2026, Adams briefed the media on what he called the “very brutal and sadistic attack on an unsuspecting victim, Donovan Marx”.

“During that incident, he was brutally tortured to the extent that his attackers cut off both of his earlobes,” he said.

He said the moment the South African Police Service became aware of the incident, a multidisciplinary team began investigating the matter.

This was done in cooperation with community members, specifically the farming community in the Ventersdorp and Potchefstroom areas.

“They responded, as they normally do when called upon, to assist the South African Police Service in apprehending the suspects,” he said.

He explained that three suspects gained access to the farm, tied up a farmworker, and ultimately tied up, brutally assaulted, and tortured Marx.

“Since that morning, the South African Police Service has worked to bring the perpetrators of this crime to book,” he said.

“The team led by Captain Bonita Dreyer has apprehended two suspects linked to that brutal farm attack on Donovan Marx.”

“I can also confirm that his vehicle, which was taken during the incident, was found abandoned this morning in the Ikageng area.”

“The vehicle has been processed by members of our Criminal Record Centre to determine what DNA was left at the scene.”

He said that the officers are still pursuing the outstanding suspects, and that they will not rest until everyone involved in this brutal attack is brought to justice.

“We will not rest until we are certain that all of them are where they belong and face the full might of the law,” he said.

Adams said that the work has only begun, as they must ensure that by the time the suspects appear in court, they are ready to present a watertight case.

This will help the National Prosecuting Authority to ensure that the court can mete out an appropriate sentence in due course.

Adams added that he and the investigating officer visited the victim, who is still recovering at a local hospital in Potchefstroom, to share this news.

“At his bedside, his wife received the update with deep gratitude. This was all thanks to the relentless pursuit of these suspects by Captain Dreyer and her team,” he said.

Action needed from President Cyril Ramaphosa

Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder said this was another example of a farm attack which was accompanied by severe violence and torture.

The violent nature of the attacks, he said, shows that they cannot be dismissed as ordinary crimes in South Africa.

“We renew our call on President Cyril Ramaphosa to acknowledge the reality of farm murders and to commit himself to action that prioritises addressing it,” he said.

“The President continues to deny farm murders and refuses to order that their prevention receives special attention.”

“As long as he refuses to put a stop to incitement to attack farmers, such as the singing of the song ‘Kill the Boer’, the attacks will continue.”

The Democratic Alliance has also condemned the attack on Marx, saying it highlights the serious safety challenges facing rural communities.

“Farm attacks, stock theft and other rural crimes threaten the lives and livelihoods of farmers, farmworkers, and their families,” it said.

“Rural communities deserve more than assurances. They deserve effective policing, accountability and the peace of mind.”

Ian Cameron, the chairperson of Parliament’s Portfolio Committee on Police, also said that farm attacks demand focused, priority policing.

He said that, although not all farm attacks involve torture, it is a common occurrence where the brutality raises concerns.

“I have attended farm attack scenes where victims had boiling water poured over them, burned with clothing irons, or had holes drilled through their hands and feet,” he said.

“Some attacks involve victims being held captive and tortured for hours. I have seen the consequences of this cruelty firsthand.”

He said that the duration and severity of that violence, combined with rural isolation and the distance from assistance, require a response designed for those circumstances.